Are you interested in reviewing craft beer?
Whether or not you intend to share your reviews with others, the process of reviewing beer can be a lot of fun if you enjoy beer and writing.
It also adds intentionality to the act of drinking beer. I've personally found that it aids in the moderation of my beer consumption. Reviewing a beer forces you to take your time and slows your drinking.
I've evolved my approach over the years but it is ultimately rooted in common practice for beer reviews and beer judging. (Judging is something that happens at home brewing competitions where certified beer judges evaluate beers submitted for entry by home brewers.)
Beer is typically reviewed according to four characteristics: appearance, aroma, flavour and mouthfeel. You should also summarize your overall perspective on the beer and, if you're inclined, give it a rating of some kind. (I use a five-point system with half-point increments.) A beer review can be as long or as short as you like—on this website, I aim for a minimum of 150 words and try not too exceed 400 words.
Below, I provide some useful tips and prompts to help guide your own reviews.
Storytelling
Don't be afraid to start your review with a story. Where did you buy the beer? Why did you select it? What do you know about the beer style or the brewery?
Appearance
It's been said that we eat with our eyes and the same can probably be said about drinking. I usually start a review by taking a photo of the can and often the beer itself after I pour it into a glass. Then I take a good look at both before I smell or taste the beer.
- Packaging: How do you feel about the design of the label or can? Is it interesting or inviting?
- Colour: Is it a deep, dark brown stout or a bright, golden ale?
- Clarity: Is it crystal clear or hazy?
- Head: How thick is the foam? What colour is it? Does it retain well? Does it stick to the side of the glass?
Aroma
Try smelling the beer before you taste it. It might look strange in public but try to get your nose into the glass and close to the surface of the beer and take a good sniff. You want to isolate the smells of the beer from the smells around you. (Personally, I find identifying aromas to be one of the more challenging parts of reviewing beer.)
- Primary Aromas: What are the dominant scents? Hoppy, malty, fruity, or something else entirely?
- Secondary Aromas: Are there any subtle nuances, like hints of spice or chocolate?
- Aroma Intensity: Is the aroma strong or subtle?
Flavour
This is what we're all here for, right? Drink it slowly and really savour the beer so you can be certain you're fully experiencing it. Pay attention to the immediate flavour of the beer, how it might change as it travels across your tastebuds and whether or not there is a distinct aftertaste. Be aware that flavour is highly impacted by temperature. A beer can change significantly as it warms!
- Taste Profile: Sweet, bitter, sour, or a combination of flavours?
- Balance: How well-balanced are the flavours?
- Aftertaste: Does the flavour linger on the palate?
Tip: Hop flavours and aromas are often expressed with the following descriptors:
- Citrus
- Tropical Fruit
- Stone Fruit
- Apple or Pear
- Melon
- Berry
- Floral
- Spicy or Herbal
- Pine
- Resinous
- Grassy
- Earthy or Woody
- Onion or Garlic
- Dank or Catty
Mouthfeel
This may be new to you if you're not used to reviewing food or beverages. But the way beer feels as you drink it is really central to the overall experience.
- Texture: Is it smooth, creamy, or crisp?
- Carbonation: Is it fizzy or flat?
- Body: Is it light, medium, or full-bodied?
Overall
This is usually just a concise summary of your overall opinion. Do you like it? Would you drink it again? Would you seek it out at bars or liquor stores?
Rating
A numerical rating out of 5 (in half-point increments).